The National tribune., 1887-12-22


sent back into the Union lines for proper
burial in his own State.
AZ that time there was a serious question
about the recognition in any official form Of
the Confederate States of America. 1t was
necessary for the Secretary Of War TO adj
dress request in some form 10 some Official
in the Confederate army, requesting the
courtesy of burying the remains Of his
brother at home.
WITH EXTRA BILLY SMITH
ii was 2 question of courtesy" to the
Coulcderates. and he related with great
gusto how the Secretary's request for has
dead brothers body amused the rebel OIL
cials. because il was addressed ITO whom II
NAV concern
Mr.. Cameron probably had nothing TO do
with the formation vi the note Of request,
and ID is likely that whoever did II for him
was obliged to adopt this form simply be-
cause they were ignorant Of the name OF
the proper person i'm the Confederate army
90 whom ID should have been addressed.
At any rate il was a very contemplate piece
OF work to reply 10 the Secretary OF War; that
"The officers of the Confederate States OF
America did not know that his note, ad-
dressed 10 whom il may concern, concerned
anybody"
/ presume that about the same general con-
dition OF things existed i'm Washington as IN
Richmond at the time was there There were
undoubtedly rebel spies plenty Of them run
ming around loose in Washington, not only at
that particular time, but constantly during the
years Of war that followed.
Thee l0nlederates had a very great advantage
over us in this regard; the Washington De
partments were literally full of their sympa-
thizers who were able TO carry on their secret
work and keep up an easy and sale communi-
cation South.
Some of these Department rebel spies re-
mained not only throughout the war, but even
now, after 25 years, are get in the Government
service.
In Richmond and the country adjacent it
was entirely different. IL there were any SYM
pathizers with the Union cause they were
known and closely watched and this was not
a troublesome task for the Coniederaies, as
there was not enough Of them 10 occupy much
attention. As n rule the cOlored people were
friendly to u.s. but they dared not indicate by
the slightest sign that they had any interest IN
q Union man.
Colored neople in Richmond were forbidden TO
assemble I'm any number together III halfd0
poor slaves would accidentally get together to
talk over the matters of life and liberty that
were SO utaI 10 Aitiils aua Niltt hltiAlh Az lAhN
Order them 10 odispersc, under penalty OF punish
ment. ID is not generally known that there
was such law, but il is fact COlored men
were not permitted In Capitol Square at certain
times being excluded by the same law that
applied 10 stray dogs. This rule did not apply
10 Richmond alone. I'm 1861 aud previous to
the war, oolored people la Washington were not
allowed to enter the Capitol or President
grounds TO hear the Marine Band concerts and
wore only permitted to crafty their ardent
love OF music BY peering through the great iron
fences that then surrounded all the grounds.
Every day, MS regular as my meal-time oc-
Cured walked over into the Capitol Square
10 the bench that gave me such good opportu-
mites 10 see every person who entered Presl'
dent Dayiss Office. did not give their Con.
gress very much attention. because their busl'
ness seemed 20 be TO talk only. was inter
estcd IN the War Office, and especially in Presi'
dent Davis.
The Virginia Legislature was also in session
at the Capitol, and we had a roommate fol
several days who was a member OF the Legisla
ture from some mountain district ORr Mary
land refugee friend Ellzton and this Dele
gate who doubted the power Of the President
as compared with that Of the Governor Of Nir-
gnia) were continually debating together
mostly confined 10 night sessions, very mucl
90 the disgust Of the Colonel and myselfM
Gov. Letcher seemed 60 me 10 be a Spee
man In Richmond than JEFF Davis. The Gov
emor occupied an elegant mansion, while Presi
dent Daviss residence was an ordinary looking
large red brick double house r few squares
back Of the Capitol. Itwas beautifully located
with large yard or lot on each side as well n
90 the rear. This lot or garden was incloset
by brick wall.
was frequently up there to get glimpse o
the President, aud / learned closely all hi
habits OF going, and coming and retiring
j ann not competent to make a pen portrai
Of Mr. Davis. He was usually dressed in
frock coat of dark steel gray. His face wa
rather thin, his jaws being firmly set, giyini
him rather severely austere appearance.
JEFF DAVIS HAS ONLY ONE EYE,
and ] always endeavored in my intercours
with him literally TO keep on his blind side.
One day it was reported that the Presiden
would review a regiment Of North CaTolin
cavalry. which was then organizing at the Fai
Grounds. This was a long walk for me, but
went there carly. The regiment was the
commanded by Col. NJ. W. Ransom NOW u. s
Senator and was 80 green that some one i
the waiting crowd said the "tar-heels" dare
not get out OF liBe with their new horses, for
they did there would be such a circus on TIA
Fair Grounds that the crowd would have {
climb ihe fence.
The President arrived with his staff after !
M. al wearing citizens clothes aud rode alon
Che front Of the line, bis one sharp eye seemin
10 take IN everything from hOois 10 caps. il
turned slowly around 10 the rear of the lin,
and came close 70 where ] happened TO
standing RI the time and 10 this day ] remen
ber the sudden. sharp glance he gave me as hi
eye caught mine.
After the ordinary forms Of review had bee
gone through With--tO the accompaniment Of
half dozen or SO buglcs-the President and h
party dismountod aud held an informal recel
zion of the officers. j did not stay for this n
ception. because ] was not just then anxious
see JEFF Davis al close quarters
l0'Uen went down 10 Libby; so often, In fac
that began TO get acquainted with couple
the guards that had a little camp on the opp
site side Of the street i had noticed that
few mon OF our prisoners had been detailed I
the rebels 10 carry water and help cook for Il
Union prisoners; but these men were awal
accompanied by guard. ] had formed foo
ish notion that il would be great satislacliC
20 our prisoners if j could open commuuic
tion with them; or al least, that il would gra
iiy them TO let them know they had a lrier
who was at Liberty, there and anxious 10 SER
them.
gave this scheme up after one trial. Or
day while down in that neighbOrhood / m
on the pavement the usual rebel guard marc
ing behind a couple Of fellows who had
bucket in each band. Norfolk had Just be,
retnken by the Union troops and as / was d
hrst piece Of good news ] had heard for so Ion
i was feeling quite elascd over even that muc
So, when j saw the Water-carriers coming
the street. j impulsivcly decided 20 send th
information 10 our poor fellows inside &
prison. They had stopped and set down th,
B1rAr4fg ia a fnf md f.ig. rfrtsr ~,